Donald Trump’s latest renovation plan: a helipad for the White House

Now, according to people familiar with the plans, the president is studying the possibility of install a helipad at the White House to prevent powerful Marine One helicopters from damaging the South Lawn.

According to what was reported by the newspaper The Wall Street Journalthe helipad would be the latest renovation of the historic White House grounds since Trump began his second term.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment. But, according to those analyzing the feasibility of the new work, the proposed helipad would prevent damage to the lawn on the south lawn. They noted that the new VH-92A Patriot helicopter is much more powerful than the decades-old VH-3D Sea King it replaces.

Both devices are manufactured by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of the Lockheed Martin firm.

Government authorities have known since at least 2018 that the VH-92A engines and auxiliary power unit could damage the lawn. The VH-3D currently lands on small boards placed under its wheels shortly before touching down.

Trump, former real estate developer, has been involved in every detail of their construction and renovation projects, and has discussed the heliport design with its partners.

According to experts’ estimates, the exhaust gases from new helicopters can burn the ground, especially in hot and dry conditions. The new VH-92A can carry 2,800 kilos more than the VH-3D.

The decision to build the helipad comes after years of unsuccessfully searching for other ways to modify the VH-92A so it could land at the White House. Once the VH-92A can perform all presidential missions, the Marine Corps will be able to retire its fleet of VH-3D helicopters, which has carried every United States president since Gerald Ford.

Trump is expected to have a helipad installed at his private Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida this summer, while the club remains closed for the season.